Charles James Jerram Wilson
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Charles James Jerram was the son of James and Caroline Wilson (née Betts). His father James Wilson was born in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire, in about 1841. His wife Caroline was born in Cuckney, Nottinghamshire, in about 1860, the daughter of Charles and Sarah Betts. James and Caroline were married at Mansfield St John the Evangelist on 27 November 1877 (O/N/D Mansfield) and had at least four children: Emily birth registered 1878 (J/F/M Mansfield), Charles James Jerram b. abt 1882, Harold Boaler b. abt 1884 and Jessie b. Mansfield 1885 (O/N/D Mansfield). The census give the brothers' place of birth as Mansfield but they may have been born in Blidworth. In 1881 James (40), occupation farmer, Caroline (22) and their daughter Emily (3), were living with Caroline's parents, Charles (53) a publican and Sarah, at 83 Leeming Street, Mansfield. Caroline probably died in 1889 (A/M/J Mansfield) aged about 31. James Wilson has not yet been traced after 1881 although there is the registration of the death of a James Wilson (b. abt 1842) in 1915 (O/N/D Mansfield). Their four children went to live with different relatives: In 1891 Emily (13) and Jessie (5) were living with their widowed grandfather, Charles Betts (64) at The Masons Arms, Leeming Street, Mansfield. Also in the household were their uncle, Tom Betts (20), an ostler, and a married aunt Sarah Frances Freeman (née Betts) and her husband John Edwin, a corn factor's manager. The same year Charles (9) and Harold (7) were living with a married aunt Mary Wardley (also Wardle, née Betts), her husband Arthur, a woodsman, and their son Edwin (6) at The Hermitage, Mansfield. By 1901 Emily (23), Charles (19) and Harold (17) were living at 39 Leeming Street with their aunt Mary Wardle and their uncle Tom Betts, a licensed victualler. Emily was probably working in the public house while Charles was a pattern maker and Harold an office clerk. The same year the youngest child, Jessie (15), a monitress at an infant school, was living at 44 Woodhouse Road, Mansfield, with her uncle and aunt, John and Sarah Freeman. Also in the household was another niece, Dorothy Hardy (Dorothy Kate Hardy b. 1896 A/M/J Mansfield mother's maiden name Freeman). In 1911 Jessie (25), now an elementary school teacher, was still living with her aunt and uncle and cousin Dorothy (15) at 44 Woodhouse Road. Her sister Emily has not yet been traced after 1901 but Jessie's brothers Charles (29) an engineering pattern maker and Harold (27) a clerk for a tin plate printers were recorded as boarders in the household of Thomas and Mary Binch at 33 Woodhouse Road, Mansfield. Also in the home were two of Thomas and Mary's three children, Albert Edward and Winifred. Albert had attended Brunts school with Charles. Charles continued to make his home with the Binch family until his death in France in 1915.
Charles James Jerram Wilson enlisted on 7 September 1914. Charles served in France from 25 February 1915. The 1/8th battalion was in the area of Kemmel in 1915 and early in June 'took over more of the J and K trenches, with the reserve company at Siege Farm and Battalion Headquarters at Rossignol Farm.' ('History of the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919', Capt. WCC Weetman) Charles was promoted corporal on 8 June the same year. A week later he was killed while out wiring on the night of 13/14 June. He was the only man from the battalion who was killed on 14 June. He is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery (grave ref. D. 63). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Visit me with Thy salvation' Probate: Wilson Charles James of 33 Woodhouse-road Mansfield Nottinghamshire corporal in His Majesty’s Army died 14 June 1915 at Belgium Administration (with Will) Nottingham 16 November to Harold Boaler Wilson tin worker’s clerk. Effects £418 14s. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his brother Harold Boaler Wilson was awarded Administration. Harold was also the recipient of Charles' medals. Personal items returned to his family: 5 coins, silver watch & chain, nail clippers, Imperial Service medal, flash lamp, mirror, Housewife (sewing kit) 3 handkerchiefs, knife, letters, postcards, 2 pipes, cigarette case, 3 devotional books, manicure set, purse, 2 notebooks and pouch. Article published 25th June 1915 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “CORPORAL C. J. WILSON. “Amongst the list of slain last week appeared the name of Corporal Charlie Wilson, one of the Brunts old scholars, a young man held in the highest esteem and regard by all with whom he came in contact. He is the first of the Brunts old brigade to meet with his death at the front, and the utmost sympathy is extended to his brother, sister, and other relatives and friends. As a member of the Old Students' Association he was prominent in the hockey field, and was a popular captain of the team. “Tributes to the brave manner in which he met his death for his country and of the high influence which he exercised amongst his comrades are forthcoming in letters which have been received from the front. Lieut. E. C. A. James, writing to Mrs Freeman [Sarah Frances née Betts], aunt of the deceased soldier, on the 13th, says he was shot, adding “I was not with him when he was killed, but I know from his work that he met his death in the fearless way of the best of men. I have never met a man who went about his work so calmly under fire, and his splendid work was the greatest help to me and an inspiration for the men under his command, who would do anything for him. I shall miss him more than I can say, and I wish there were more men like him. Please accept my very deepest sympathy in your great sorrow. “Sergeant W. F. Hotson, of “A” Company, No 3 Platoon, writing to Mr. C. E. Stacey, the head master of Brunts School, gives details of Corporal Wilson's death, which he said, occurred whilst out wiring in front of the trenches. He states: For some weeks past I have intended to write to you to let you know how your old pupils in Belgium were getting on. I wish I could have written earlier as then the news would have been good — now it is bad. You will be deeply grieved to learn that last night Charlie Wilson met his death. I understand that a bullet struck him in the neck, and passed into his body, killing him instantly... Charlie was not the man to stick at danger, however, and he has always shown the most fearless spirit and an example of the finest type of British manhood. His influence has done much towards moulding rightly the character of many of us who have passed through your school. He lived a model lie, and has met with the noblest death, leaving a gap that can never be filled. His body will be laid to rest in the cemetery here, next those of many comrades whose lives have been sacrificed in the same great cause. I intend to suggest to the other old students here that we leave on his grave some little token of our affection.” Above report courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘The 8th Sherwoods Badly Damaged. This interesting letter has been received by Mrs Wilson, wife of Ald. JL Wilson, from her son who is at the front. In the letter, which refers to the death of Lance Corporal Charlie Wilson, he adds that he attended Charlie’s burial ‘in a special ground we have in a village, just behind our lines’ [Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery] Just as we were waiting for the chaplain (about 9.15pm) there came from the trenches a terrific report, followed by two others almost instantly. At the same time the sky was lighted up by [a] tremendous flash, followed by a continuous roar of rifle fire and artillery. Of course, we knew immediately that it was a mine blown up, and that it must have been a German one, too. I cannot describe to you what it was like, but for at least an hour the roar was simply deafening.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: There were 11 casualties from the battalion on 15 June 1915 including two who died when one of the mines which exploded partly destroyed a trench. Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘8th Sherwood Foresters Ranks Thinned. Towards the end of last week Mansfield and district received bad news of her sons fighting in France … The first intelligence received tht the 8th Sherwood Foresters’ Battalion had been in the thick of the fighting, announced the death of Lieut. Humphrey Hollins, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Wm Hollins, Berry Hill … Then came the sad intelligence of other brave lads’ deaths: Corporal Wilson and Privates Frank Hill, Armitage, (of Carter Lane), and Spademan. On the same day Private Percy May was killed, but it was not until Monday of this week that his father was apprised of the fact … Memorial Service. A memorial service to Lieutenant Hollins was held in St Peter’s Church on Saturday afternoon … The service was conducted by the vicar (Rev FJ Adams), who also took a similar service held in the parish church on Sunday evening, to the memory of Lieut Hollins, Corporal Wilson and Privates Hill, Armitage, and Spademan … Five of their communicants had gone in a week – Humphrey Hollins, Charles Wilson, Frank Hill and from St Lawrence’s there were Privates Armitage and Spademan.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Albert Binch, with whose family Charles and his brother lived from at least 1911, served in the King's Own Scottish Borderers (40264 Private) and was killed in action on 15 September 1916. (See record on this ROH.) Albert's family included a dedication to Charles on the headstone marking the family grave in Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery: 'Also Cpl Charles James Wilson killed in action June 14th 1915'
